Hurricane Rina nears Mexico; airlines, cruise ships plan ahead

Hurricane Rina began to sweep toward Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, prompting airlines to warn passsengers about possible flight disruptions and forcing cruise ships to change their itineraries.

The hurricane, currently a Category 2, is expected to make landfall in the resort town of Cancun on Thursday, Reuters reports. The hurricane warning covers the east coast of the Yucatan from north of Punta Gruesa to Cancun.

Meanwhile Carnival and Norwegian cruise lines have issued weather updates on their websites. “Depending on the speed and path of the storm, we may have to alter some itineraries,” says the advisory on NCL’s website. Travel Agent Central reports that Carnival “revised eight cruise ship itineraries” to dodge the storm.

Airlines too are concerned about delays and possible cancellation of flights because of the hurricane. Many eased their change fee rules Tuesday to allow passengers to change their travel plans. If you are flying in or out of any affected areas, contact your airline by phone or via the website to make changes. Here’s what some airlines posted on their websites:

American Airlines [(800) 433-7300] will waive change fees on tickets booked on or before Tuesday (today) for travel Tuesday through Monday to Cancun or Cozumel. The airline asks travelers to call to change their tickets.

Delta [(800) 221-1212] will waive fees for ticketholders traveling to or from Cancun and Cozumel on Thursday and Friday. Tickets may be changed to dates through Nov. 6.

JetBlue [(800) 538-2583] will waive change fees for travel to and from Cancun on Thursday and Friday. Ticketholders may change their date of travel through Nov. 1; tickets must have been bought by Oct. 25.

United Airlines [(800) 864-8331] will waive change fees on tickets between Tuesday (today) and Monday for travel to Cancun and Cozumel in Mexico as well as Grand Cayman Island in the Cayman Islands.

US Airways [(800) 622-1015] Change fees are waived for those planning to travel to or from Cancun on Thursday or Friday. Travelers can move up their flights to Tuesday (today) or Wednesday or rebook for Saturday through Tuesday.

Virgin America [(877) 359-8474] will waive change fees on tickets booked on or before Tuesday (today) for travel that was planned Tuesday through Sunday to or from Cancun. The airline flies from San Francisco and Los Angeles to the Mexican resort town.